Archive for April 1st, 2009

While some historians disagree, the most popular theory about the origins of this day for pranks and practical jokes is that it began in the 1500s in France, when the start of the New Year was moved from March to January. Word of the move traveled slowly to the rural dwellers, who continued to celebrate the New Year in April, earning them the title of “April fools”.

More than 700 million of these chick, bunny and egg-shaped marshmallows are purchased every year. A meager 90 million chocolate bunnies are consumed. At peak production, over four million Marshmallow Peeps can be made each day.

Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the Tulips, the Crocuses and the Daffodils. A time for Christians to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Christ. And a time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs!

So join our Easter festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Easter on April 12th!

No more than 18 minutes may pass from the time that the flour and water are mixed together until the time that the matzah is completely baked. If the process takes longer than 18 minutes, the matzah is not deemed Kosher for Passover.

Did you know that Kosher for Passover refers to foods free of chametz? In order to earn the Kosher for Passover label, packaged foods must be certified by a rabbi.

Spring has arrived and with it comes the eight-day Jewish holiday of freedom. It’s time to clean out your chametz, open up a box of matzah and set up for your seder. So join our Passover festivities to learn all about this pinnacle holiday in the Jewish calendar.

We’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to the first night of Passover on April 08th (begins at sundown)! So stop by again tomorrow.

April Fool’s Day
The ultimate holiday for practical pranksters, April 1st actually used to be the New Year’s Day. In 1564 the New Year changed to January 1st, and those silly individuals who insisted on celebrating the “old” day became known as April fools.

Finally, don’t forget to wish your family and friends a Happy, Hoppy Easter by sending one of our free Easter e-cards.

This year, the moveable feast of Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 12, 2009. The Eastern Orthodox churches will enjoy their Easter celebrations a week later, on Sunday, April 19. We look forward to sharing our celebrations with you and your family.